초록 ▼

A stabilizing system for a reclinable wheelchair connects anti-tip members to the wheelchair seat such that pivoting of the seat causes pivoting of the anti-tip members. In one embodiment, the stabilizing system includes cables connected at opposite ends to the seat and to the anti-tip members. The

A stabilizing system for a reclinable wheelchair connects anti-tip members to the wheelchair seat such that pivoting of the seat causes pivoting of the anti-tip members. In one embodiment, the stabilizing system includes cables connected at opposite ends to the seat and to the anti-tip members. The cables may be connected to the seat bottom or, alternately, to the seat back. The anti-tip members may incorporate a pivoting suspension member that includes a drive motor for the wheelchair. Pivot control mechanisms connected to the cables can be used to permit a predetermined amount of seat pivot without corresponding pivot of the anti-tip members. The stabilizing system alternatively includes axially compressible link members connecting the seat back to the anti-tip members to provide controlled pivoting of the anti-tip members based on pivoting of the seat.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A stabilizing system for a wheelchair having a base and a seat, the seat being pivotable with respect to the base, the stabilizing system comprising:at least one anti-tip member pivotably connected to the base about a pivot axis; andan anti-tip actuating cable operably connected to the seat and t

1. A stabilizing system for a wheelchair having a base and a seat, the seat being pivotable with respect to the base, the stabilizing system comprising:at least one anti-tip member pivotably connected to the base about a pivot axis; andan anti-tip actuating cable operably connected to the seat and the anti-tip member such that pivoting of the seat causes the cable to pivot the anti-tip member. 2. The stabilizing system according to claim 1 wherein the anti-tip actuating cable is slidably received by the wheelchair at first and second guide locations. 3. The stabilizing system according to claim 2, further comprising a seat support frame connected to the base and wherein the first and second guide locations are provided by first and second members secured, respectively, to the base and seat support frame. 4. The stabilizing system according to claim 1, wherein the seat comprises a back portion and a bottom portion and wherein the wheelchair further comprises a lift assembly engaging the bottom portion of the seat for pivoting the seat with respect to the base,the lift assembly including at least one arm having opposite ends pivotably connected to the bottom portion of the seat and to the base, an end of the anti-tip actuating cable being attached to the arm of the lift assembly. 5. The stabilizing system according to claim 1, wherein the anti-tip member comprises a first portion that extends forwardly with respect to the pivot axis and a second portion that extends rearwardly with respect to the pivot axis, and wherein the anti-tip actuating cable is secured to the first portion of the anti-tip member. 6. The stabilizing system according to claim 1, further comprising a wheel rotatably connected to the anti-tip member adjacent an end of the anti-tip member. 7. The stabilizing system according to claim 1, wherein the seat comprises a back portion and a bottom portion and wherein the anti-tip actuating cable is operably connected to the bottom portion. 8. The stabilizing system according to claim 1, wherein the seat comprises a back portion and a bottom portion and wherein the anti-tip actuating cable is operably connected to the back portion. 9. The stabilizing system according to claim 8 wherein the seat is pivotably connected to a seat support frame supported by the base and wherein the actuating cable is slidably received a rearward extension of the seat support frame. 10. A powered wheelchair comprising:a base including a pair of drive wheels;at least one drive motor engaging one of the drive wheels;an anti-tip member secured to the drive motor to form therewith a suspension assembly connected to the base for pivot about an axis, the drive motor located forwardly with respect to the axis, at least a portion of the anti-tip member extending rearwardly with respect to the axis;a seat having a back portion and a bottom portion, the seat pivotably supported by the base; andan actuating cable slidably received by the base in at least one location, the actuating cable having a first end connected to the suspension assembly forwardly of the axis, and a second end operably connected to the bottom portion of the seat such that pivoting of the seat causes the actuating cable to pivot the suspension assembly about the axis. 11. The wheelchair according to claim 10, further comprising a recline assembly engaging the bottom portion of the seat for pivoting the seat with respect to the base, the recline assembly including at least one lift arm pivotably connected to the bottom portion of the seat and to the base, and wherein the second end of the actuating cable is secured to the lift arm. 12. The wheelchair according to claim 11, wherein the seat is translatable with respect to the base and wherein the recline assembly further comprises a drive member engaging the seat for powered translation of the seat with respect to the base and pivoting of the lift arm. 13. The wheelchair according to claim 10, further comprising a return spring en gaging the base and the suspension assembly for biasing the suspension assembly in a direction that is opposite the direction of pivot caused by pivoting of the seat with respect to the base. 14. A stabilizing system for a wheelchair having a base and a seat, the seat being pivotable with respect to the base, the stabilizing system comprising:at least one anti-tip member pivotably supported by the base;an anti-tip actuating cable operably connected to the seat and the anti-tip member such that pivoting of the seat causes the cable to pivot the anti-tip member; andan anti-tip control mechanism comprising an axially compressible spring, the actuating cable operably engaging the spring of the control mechanism such that pivot of the seat with respect to the base causes the actuating cable to compress the spring without pivoting the anti-tip member. 15. The stabilizing system according to claim 14, wherein the anti-tip control mechanism further comprises a spring retainer secured to the anti-tip member, the spring being positioned between the anti-tip member and an end portion of the retainer opposite the anti-tip member. 16. The stabilizing system according to claim 15, further comprising a wheel rotatably connected to the anti-tip member adjacent an end of the anti-tip member. 17. A reclinable wheelchair comprising:a base;a seat pivotably supported on the base, the seat including a back portion;at least one anti-tip member pivotably connected to the base;a link member having a first end pivotably connected the back portion of the seat and a second end pivotably connected to the anti-tip member for transferring pivoting of the seat to pivoting of the anti-tip member,the link member being axially compressible to provide for a predetermined amount of pivot of the seat without corresponding pivot of the anti-tip member. 18. The reclinable wheelchair according to claim 17 wherein the link member comprises a strut having a first portion that is slidably and telescopically received by a second portion. 19. The reclinable wheelchair according to claim 17 further comprising a biasing assembly including an actuating rod pivotably connected to the anti-tip member and to the base, the biasing assembly further including at least one spring slidably receiving the actuating rod. 20. The reclinable wheelchair according to claim 17, further comprising a wheel rotatably connected to the anti-tip member adjacent an end of the anti-tip member.